Haven Trevino (Facebook)
By Kristin Rodin
Families and experts are concerned about the ongoing challenges COVID-19 has created for domestic violence resources in Lubbock in 2021.
In November 2020, 19-year-old Haven Trevino was shot and killed at Orlando’s – located at 6951 Indiana Ave. – after ending her relationship with Isaiah Mesa. Court records show Mesa had previously abused Trevino and their son.
For advocates like Trevion’s family, the pandemic increased anxiety in regard to victim safety due to isolation and has hindered the development of more domestic violence resources for the Lubbock community.
Kim Hernandez, Trevino’s aunt, said in a phone interview she wants to speak out against the stigma of domestic violence in families and the problem of brushing it under the rug rather than seeking help.
“I was the voice for her son because he didn’t have a voice,” she said, “and the voice for her as well because she was manipulated into believing you don’t need to call the cops, you need to call family, we need to figure this out, rather than letting everybody know.”
Hernandez said seclusion created by the pandemic has made dangerous situations worse as victims are away from family and friends, which makes it more difficult to report.
In a phone interview, Detective Sadie Stevens with the Lubbock Police Department said it’s hard to quantify the number of domestic violence cases because in Texas, anyone a person has lived with or had an intimate relationship with can be considered a family member.
“These are people that have connections, they had some sort of relationship, whether it be sibling, parent-child, dating, marriage. There’s emotions involved,” Stevens said, “and it’s very difficult for the victims to distance themselves from the emotion, even though maybe something very heinous has happened.”
Lubbock Police Department (Photo by Kristin Rodin)
According to data from the CDC, 11 million women and 5 million men who reported intimate partner violence stated their first violent encounter occurred before the age of 18.
Stevens said she’s noticed a slight increase in the number of cases, but there are far more unreported instances than reported instances. She said she hopes with more awareness and knowledge of resources like Women’s Protective Services, Lubbock Voice of Hope, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more reports will be made.
In a phone interview, Hannah Yunker, a family friend of Trevino, said while many young women and men experience the cycle of domestic violence, Trevino’s experience is different for the community.
“Her story is not a unique one,” Yunker said. “What was unique is that her story ended in death, and that’s what we want to change.”
National Domestic Violence Hotline webpage (Photo by Kristin Rodin)
The pandemic has prevented the family from making progress in setting up their foundation, The Helping Hands of Haven, which would provide support and safety for young mothers and women looking to leave their situations, Yunker said.
Hernandez said the family will continue to honor Trevino in order to raise awareness about domestic violence.
“She is somebody who had such a beautiful and bright future, had she been given the chance,” Hernandez said, “and so, I think that that’s why we wanted to speak out on this, because she had so many different opportunities. Her light was dimmed, and it was dimmed because she was in love with the wrong person, she wanted to change the wrong man.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website. For immediate assistance, please do not hesitate to call 911.
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